The Story
Adrian was born at just 27 weeks during Hurricane Katrina. He was a triplet, and against all odds, survived even though doctors gave him less than an hour to live. His siblings did not make it. Adrian spent his first days on the strongest ventilator available. Doctors said he would never speak, but today he talks nonstop—engaging in conversations, singing Taylor Swift, humming along with church choirs, and asking Alexa to call his grandmother in Puerto Rico. Over the years, Adrian has surpassed many early expectations about his abilities. Now 20, Adrian is full of personality and light. He loves zebras, trains, graduations, sushi, and Chips Ahoy cookies. He paints beautiful pictures and feels happiest in places filled with music, art, and excitement. His mom, Cynthia, who teaches Spanish and cooking, lovingly calls him her "little miracle."
But life at home was not easy. Adrian needs complete physical care. Because of their bathroom setup, Cynthia could only bathe him twice a week. It was a physically exhausting process that meant she had to straddle the bathtub, balance her own weight, and use a cup to rinse her son, who weighs over 100 pounds and is as tall as she is. Afterward, she would wrap him in a sweatshirt, since a towel was too slippery, and carry him to a massage table in her bedroom to diaper and dress him. Adrian also has seizures that cannot be traced and can be unsteady, sometimes throwing his head back without warning. This made a standard shower setup truly dangerous.His bedroom had its own challenges. Since his wheelchair could not fit through the doorway, Cynthia had to carry Adrian into the room and lift him into an unsteady, cut-down loft bed. This turned a place meant for rest into a source of strain and worry.Adrian had one simple wish: for mommy to be safe.
Thanks to the generous support of Helen and Jimmy Carlos, the Roswell Women's Club, and the Spirit of Life - Tommy Meo Jr. Foundation, Sunshine on a Ranney Day was able to transform both spaces. As Jimmy and Helen Carlos shared, "We just want to make people's lives easier... [life] with a special needs kid can be a lot more difficult than I think a lot of people realize."
Before construction began, we brought Adrian and Cynthia to Walk Your Plans Atlanta. Cynthia brought Adrian's shower chair so the team could ensure every detail of the new bathroom would truly work for him — measuring, planning, and problem-solving on the spot to get it right.
I want a new shower so Mommy doesn't have to step over the side.
In the bathroom, we installed a safe, accessible shower, a wheelchair-friendly sink, and a custom changing table. Widening the doorway now makes movement easier. Inspired by Adrian and Cynthia's Puerto Rican heritage, our designer Clareece created a space that is both colorful and calming, making daily routines safer and more comfortable. In the bedroom, a widened doorway now accommodates Adrian's wheelchair. An adjustable bed, generously donated by Jim Van Epps, provides safety and comfort, turning the room into a restful space.
At the reveal, Adrian was overjoyed and kept yelling, “I’m so excited!” Since then, Adrian has flourished in his new spaces. He now independently participates in daily routines, enjoys greater comfort, and explores his interests more freely. Cynthia says Adrian is more confident and relaxed, and their daily routines are now easier and safer. The kindness of donors keeps making a visible difference in their lives, giving Adrian more chances to grow and thrive through enhanced independence and self-assurance. We are grateful to our materials partners, including Real Floors Commercial, Pella, MSI, Randall Brothers, Top Knobs, Pulley & Associates, Fine Lines Environments, Sherwin-Williams, and others, whose contributions have given Adrian and Cynthia comfort and peace of mind. To help more families like Adrian's, please reach out. Together, we can create more stories of hope.
